Beware of fraud, scams during hurricanes

Published: Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 10:44 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 10:44 a.m.

The urgency during a storm and the need to repair property after one makes south Louisiana residents vulnerable to fraud, identity theft and price gouging, state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said.

“As hurricane season quickly approaches, I encourage all Louisiana citizens to prepare now for the possibility of a storm,” Caldwell said in a statement. “Unfortunately, hurricane season is also a time in which unscrupulous con-artists try to capitalize on your misfortune.”

CONTRACTOR FRAUD

Caldwell suggested that a down payment should probably not be more than 10 percent of the total price. Get a guarantee in writing, which the contractor should sign. Pay by check or money order and keep all receipts.

Obtain more than one estimate for repairs, he said. You can check the qualifications and credentials of anyone working on your home by contacting the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors at 1-800-256-1392. Make sure the contractor is licensed or registered, and see if the contractor has any complaints or violations on record.

Ask for the contractor's address and verify it, and get the name of the contractor's insurance company. Ask for references of satisfied customers and contact those individuals to examine the work done, Caldwell said.

DISASTER RELIEF IMPOSTERS

Don't trust everyone who says he or she is a government agency employee or insurance adjuster, the state attorney general said. Scammers sometimes pose as these officials.

During interviews, phony disaster relief officials can get Social Security numbers and bank information.

If someone contacts you and identifies as being from a government agency, don't give out any information until you have contacted the agency or insurance company they claim to represent.

FALSE CHARITIES

Be wary of disaster-relief campaigns and verify their validity — even if all your friends are promoting something on Facebook, Caldwell said.

“In the last few years, the widespread use of social media provides fertile ground for scammers to exploit the generosity of Louisiana citizens wishing to donate to the victims of natural disasters by almost instantly creating the look and mission statement of a legitimate disaster-relief campaign,” he said.

Go to www.guidestar.org to verify if a charity is a registered nonprofit.

Don't give your personal information out in an email, and never make a check to an individual rather than an organization, Caldwell said.

<p>The urgency during a storm and the need to repair property after one makes south Louisiana residents vulnerable to fraud, identity theft and price gouging, state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said.</p><p>“As hurricane season quickly approaches, I encourage all Louisiana citizens to prepare now for the possibility of a storm,” Caldwell said in a statement. “Unfortunately, hurricane season is also a time in which unscrupulous con-artists try to capitalize on your misfortune.”</p><p>To report contractor fraud, charity scams or other consumer-related scams, contact the Louisiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-351-4889.</p><h3>CONTRACTOR FRAUD</h3>
<p>Caldwell suggested that a down payment should probably not be more than 10 percent of the total price. Get a guarantee in writing, which the contractor should sign. Pay by check or money order and keep all receipts.</p><p>Obtain more than one estimate for repairs, he said. You can check the qualifications and credentials of anyone working on your home by contacting the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors at 1-800-256-1392. Make sure the contractor is licensed or registered, and see if the contractor has any complaints or violations on record.</p><p>Ask for the contractor's address and verify it, and get the name of the contractor's insurance company. Ask for references of satisfied customers and contact those individuals to examine the work done, Caldwell said.</p><h3>DISASTER RELIEF IMPOSTERS</h3>
<p>Don't trust everyone who says he or she is a government agency employee or insurance adjuster, the state attorney general said. Scammers sometimes pose as these officials.</p><p>During interviews, phony disaster relief officials can get Social Security numbers and bank information. </p><p>If someone contacts you and identifies as being from a government agency, don't give out any information until you have contacted the agency or insurance company they claim to represent.</p><h3>FALSE CHARITIES</h3>
<p>Be wary of disaster-relief campaigns and verify their validity — even if all your friends are promoting something on Facebook, Caldwell said.</p><p>“In the last few years, the widespread use of social media provides fertile ground for scammers to exploit the generosity of Louisiana citizens wishing to donate to the victims of natural disasters by almost instantly creating the look and mission statement of a legitimate disaster-relief campaign,” he said.</p><p>Go to www.guidestar.org to verify if a charity is a registered nonprofit. </p><p>Don't give your personal information out in an email, and never make a check to an individual rather than an organization, Caldwell said.</p><h3>PRICE GOUGING</h3>
<p>Price-gouging laws prohibit raising prices above pre-emergency levels unless there is a verifiable price change attributable to national or regional market changes or commodity shortage, Caldwell said. </p><p>Price gouging should be reported to local law enforcement, local district attorneys' offices or Caldwell's office. </p><p>Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.</p>